The KMM Blog features true crime writer Robert A. Waters’ analysis of cold unsolved cases and commentary about modern and historical crimes. Kidnapping. Murder. Mayhem. They're as old as human history, and as fascinating.

Thursday, April 9, 2015

Alleged Craigslist Robber Shot

Victim stops
violent armed career criminalby
Robert A. WatersIn
my hometown of Ocala, Florida, Jeffrey Tyrone Smith lived for cocaine.Like many addicts, he robbed and stole to
support his habit.He had a long list of
arrests, including convictions for cocaine possession, credit card fraud, burglary,
domestic battery, grand theft, larceny, and violation of probation.On April 6, 2015, he was free on bond while
facing a charge of false imprisonment.That
afternoon, Smith met with two Gainesville men, allegedly to sell them a
truck.The vehicle was non-existent, of
course.Smith planned to rob them, as
he’d done six days earlier with another victim.After
so many arrests and convictions, Smith thought he’d finally figured out how to
make crime pay without getting caught.Craigslist.He
would respond to advertisements of people who wanted to purchase a vehicle, robbing
them when they met.His first Craigslist
robbery had been a roaring success—he netted $1,800.Then
Smith made the mistake of attempting to duplicate his crime.What
he didn’t know was that one of his would-be Gainesville victims came
armed.According to the Ocala Post, “The victim with the gun
stated that his friend then exited the vehicle and walked toward the backyard
with Smith [to look at the truck he claimed to have for sale].“The
victim stated that all of a sudden he heard his friend yell, ‘Son of a b***h.’ He said that is when he saw his friend bending
over in pain, like he had been punched in the stomach.“At
this point, the victim did not know that his friend had been stabbed.“The
victim told deputies that Smith then turned and ran toward him, at which time
he drew his gun and fired a single shot, striking Smith.“According
to the victim, Smith fell to the ground, but continued to try and get up to
come at him. The victim said he told
Smith to stay down.”Smith
eventually fled the scene, but was quickly captured.Both
Smith and the stabbing victim were hospitalized.After Smith is released, he will be held
without bond and charged with attempted murder, aggravated battery with a deadly
weapon, and two counts of robbery with a weapon.If convicted, it will likely be many years
before Smith is released from prison.The
Marion County Sheriff’s Office will not charge the shooter with any crime.